Student groups among those doing final push to get out the vote in Hamilton this week

For McMaster student Keshvi Bhatt,having the municipal election come directly to her made voting in it all the more likely.

"I think because they're doing it here on campus it'll be so much easier," saidBhatt, referring to a special "on-demand" poll being held on campus Tuesday, where students could vote.

Bhattwas among a few dozen people who werelistening to some of the city's mayoral candidates Mondayat a debate held on campus.

Her friend,Jada Bernard,said the afternoon rain kept the group of friends inside, and as a result they happened to catch the debate. "We're probably going to vote tomorrow," Bernard said, referring to Tuesday's pop-uppoll.

Bernard said she needed to do more research around candidates, but housing issues mattered to her. Bhatt said "anything related to student life or life around McMaster," mattered to her, and discussion around the light-rail transit (LRT)was of particular interest.

"I feel that would be good for students to get around the city," she said.

Monday's mayoral debate, which saw candidatesMichael Pattison, Ejaz Butt, Keanin Loomis and Solomon Ikhuiwuattend, was part of the push by groups like the McMaster Student Union (MSU) to get out the vote, during the final week of the campaign.

As part of its efforts to get students to vote,MSUmarketingand communications director Michael Wooder told CBC Hamilton the MSU sent emails to the 27,000 people on its mailing list andpromotedthe poll and other election-related content on its social media. It has also done outreach to student clubs.

Several on-demand polls this week

The on-demand poll at McMasterwas one of three in Hamilton on Tuesday aimed at students, with another at Redeemer University and Mohawk College, the city said. Other on-demand polls will be held Fridayat three drop-in shelter locations and the Hamilton Regional Indian Centre part of a pilot program by the city.

"Anyone at McMaster University can vote on Oct.18 in CIBC Hallregardless of where they live in Hamilton," MSU said on its website.

The polling station at McMaster is being held in the student centrefrom 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Anyone whobrings ID and acceptable items showing their Hamilton address can participate.

"If you live on-campus or rent a room or apartment in Hamilton, you are eligible to vote in Hamilton," says the MSU.

The MSUsaid itwas approached a few months before the election by the city about the idea. The poll would serve as acentralized location for students to encourage them to vote.

The efforts weren't effective for all, however.

Ahren Chen said he feltthe emails sent from the MSUweremore "annoying" than informative, mostly because it's around midterms.

"Midterm studying basically is my focus right now," he said. "They've sent emails about [the election], but I just drag and drop it into the trash."

Fellow student Raymond Ma said hewas interested in the election but lacked information to make a choice and now has no time for it due to class midterms.

Nicholas Loranger, a student who lives in the more rural Flamborougharea of Hamilton,says he won't vote, he wasn't contacted by the MSU and that gathering information was difficult.

"You really have to go searching, sometimes it's not worth it," he said."This election doesn't affect me enough."

Caleb Smolenaars, who lives on campus, attended the mayoral debate and said hefeels the MSU's efforts were effective and kept him informed.

"I'm glad that they're doing the special ballot...I'll be voting then."

CurtisBeattie,a McMaster alumnus,saw a social media post about the mayoraldebateand sat in the audience, hoping to see thecandidates in person.

"It's nice to see the candidates face-to-face," he said.

For more of CBC Hamilton's electioncoverage:

• 'Change-focused voters' drive the conversation in Hamilton election sure to see massive turnover
• How to vote in Hamilton's 2022 municipal election
• Want to get elected in Hamilton? Study finds campaign success doesn't come cheap